Guided Audio

Spontaneity and Improvisation

May 15, 2017

TEACHER: Erin OkeTHEME: Spontaneity and ImprovisationMEDITATION: Getting BouncyINTERACTIVE: Making it up as we go along

Erin: A key element to live performance (and life!) is the ability to respond in the moment, work with what we’re given and go with the flow. Tonight we’ll explore practices that nurture spontaneity and cultivate our “Zen Bounce”, then let loose our inner performers to play some theatre games.

Focus and Release

Caitlin: Concentration and letting go practices are like bacon and eggs – they work well side by side. Concentration builds up our ability to develop and maintain a strong, meditative focus on a chosen point. Letting go enables us to loosen our grip on the reins of our minds, allowing them to roam free. In part 1, we’ll practice these opposing but complementary skills on the cushion. In part 2, guest artist Huy Lam will lead us through visual art practices that illustrate how to put these skills to paper.

Why am I alive?

April 24, 2017

TEACHER:Avi CraimerTHEME: What is this all about anyway?MEDITATION: Why am I alive?INTERACTIVE: Good life mandala

Avi: One of the fundamental questions of philosophy is “What is the good life?”. There’s not just one answer. For the Buddha it was the end of suffering, for Sade it was having sex all the time. If we don’t grapple with this question seriously, our meditation and even our lives risk being dominated by somebody else’s idea of what is truly important. In the second half, we’ll creatively map out our personal good life mandalas, seeking greater clarity and perspective to balance all our competing values.

Inquiry as a Process

April 3, 2017

| Duration: 35:23

TEACHER:Avi CraimerTHEME: Inquiry as a ProcessMEDITATION: What is a question?INTERACTIVE: Group inquiry and reactivity

Avi: To kick off our month of inquiry, I’m going to lead us in a meditation to explore the nature of question asking. How does the act of asking a question impact your inner life? In the second half, we’ll examine our reactive patterns around intellectual discussion. What does it bring up for us: Do we worry about not being smart enough or are we afraid of sounding too smart? Do we get competitive, shut-down, bored, fascinated? What kind of inquirers are we?